Retromobile 2025 brings Parisian glitz and glamour to this year's Car Show Season

Held in Paris since 1976, the show once again delivered the distinctive elegance, prestige, and je ne sais quoi that, in my opinion, makes it the finest car event in the world.

Spanning three halls at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, this year’s edition - which took place from 4th to 9th February - attracted manufacturers, dealers, brokers, and collectors, all united in their passion for classic, rare, and high-performance vehicles.

International buyers also made their way to two additional venues, Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s. At the latter, a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that had triumphed at Le Mans fetched €34.88m, while a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Streamliner was sold for €51.15m. Both vehicles, offered by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, underscored the robust state of the high-end collector car market. Meanwhile, French auction house Artcurial hosted its own sale on-site.

But Rétromobile is more than an exclusive playground for the ultra-wealthy. The event retains a distinctly French character, with this year’s highlights including a showcase of inter-war Citroën Kégresse half-tracks and a 70th-anniversary tribute to the Citroën DS, featuring a recreation of the 1959 DS balloon car that famously demonstrated the model’s groundbreaking hydropneumatic suspension.

The show is also a prime opportunity for leading European collector car dealers to unveil their latest offerings. For many attendees, this means the chance to admire - and for a fortunate few, acquire - a dream car under one roof. Fiskens, the renowned London-based dealer, occupied a prominent display space, where they exhibited F1 World Champion Jenson Button’s 1952 Jaguar C-Type. With its bronze bodywork, illustrious racing history (having been originally owned by five-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio), and pioneering disc brake system, the car was a true standout.

Girardo & Co also curated an impressive Ferrari lineup, featuring the ex-Gerhard Berger Grand Prix-winning 1987 Ferrari F1-87, a factory Ferrari 375 Plus from 1954, and a 1960 Competizione Ferrari 250 GT SWB—one of only 75 examples built.

Swiss dealer Simon Kidston made waves with a meticulously preserved 1995 McLaren F1 in Marlboro White, boasting just 1,290 km on the odometer. Equally remarkable was the exceptionally rare Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider, one of only ten ever built. Steve McQueen famously drove one in an attempt to impress Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair. However, for me, the true star of the stand was a factory-original black-on-black Porsche 911 2.7 RS - not the rarest or priciest, but undoubtedly offering the best fun for the miles.

RM Sotheby’s also introduced their bespoke online sales platform, Sealed. Having discreetly managed the sale of the final production McLaren F1, they are now overseeing an ex-Michael Schumacher Ferrari F355 through this new system, which combines the advantages of online auctions with confidential pricing.

For enthusiasts of pre-war motoring excellence, Lucas Huni assembled an array of exceptional classics, including a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C and a 1926 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix once driven by Elisabeth Junek. Their display, featuring Mille Miglia Alfa Romeos, Carrera Panamericana Ferraris, and a Sebring-winning Jaguar D-Type, served as a striking tribute to automotive history.

Modern hypercars were also well represented. London dealer Joe Macari showcased a range of vehicles catering to the Instagram generation, including an almost-new Maserati MC12 and an Aston Martin Valkyrie featuring exposed purple carbon fibre with gold accents. However, my personal favourite was a classic Aston Martin DB5 Volante with its original red leather interior and patina.

Major manufacturers used Rétromobile to emphasise their heritage and connect it with their current lineups. Renault presented a concept inspired by a vintage racer, Porsche traced the evolution of the 911, and Mercedes-Benz proudly displayed a bare-metal 300SL Gullwing.

Lennard Foerster of Mercedes-Benz, fresh from finalising the sale of a rare manual R107 SL, shared insights into the brand’s expanding restoration capabilities. He explained: “Mercedes-Benz is looking to build its restoration capabilities to service customer needs whilst maintaining the company’s vast heritage.”

While the market remains somewhat hesitant towards pre-war models, certain rarities continue to attract collectors. I spotted six Bugatti Type 59s in various conditions, including the former car of the King of Belgium - a recent winner at Pebble Beach Concours in the preservation class, marking a milestone as the first unrestored car from a European collector to achieve this feat.

I even had the privilege of taking the wheel of a 1933 Bugatti Type 59 (Frame 8), courtesy of Phoenix Green Garage. Having competed in the 1936 Monaco Grand Prix, this stunning machine exemplifies how automotive design can approach the realm of fine art.

As historic vehicles appreciate in value, many owners are reluctant to drive them. While events such as Goodwood occasionally provide an opportunity to witness them in motion, most remain in preservation. After all, would you take a €16.5m 1960 Ferrari 250 California Spider out on the road?

However, what if a “toolroom” replica was available at a fraction of the price? This is precisely what modern engineering offers. Timothy Dutton of British specialist Ivan Dutton Ltd demonstrated their 1960 Ferrari 250 California Spider recreation - transformed from a less-coveted PF Coupe over the course of 3,000 hours. Impressively, it recently completed a 4,000-kilometre European tour. While purists may debate authenticity versus usability, as Timothy points out, cars are meant to be driven.

Even major manufacturers are embracing their legacies. Matthew Doughty of Bentley guided me through the new 1930 Speed Six Continuation Series. One of just twelve produced, these track-only recreations precisely replicate the Bentley that Woolf Barnato and Glen Kidston drove to Le Mans victory that year.

The restomod movement - blending modern technology with vintage designs - was in full force. Ranging from simple engine swaps to complete carbon-fibre reimaginings, this trend is reshaping classic car ownership. Broad Arrow Private Sales presented two striking mint-green examples: a 1988 Porsche 911 re-engineered by Lanzante with a 1986 1.5-litre TAG Porsche F1 engine, and a 2024 RUF CTR - a Porsche 911 silhouette housing a 710bhp flat-six turbo powerplant. Another noteworthy restomod was the Kimera EVO37, a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1980s Lancia 037 rally car, crafted with cutting-edge materials and engineering.

Beyond the headline attractions, Rétromobile’s smaller halls offered a treasure trove for collectors, featuring automotive art, vintage petrol pumps, and marque-branded apparel. And, being a Parisian event, there was no shortage of exquisite food and drink, from crêpes and fine wine to pastries, providing welcome sustenance for visitors browsing stands dedicated to marques such as Delage, Matra, Simca, and Facel Vega.

With its distinctive French flair, Rétromobile reaffirms that the passion for motoring history remains strong. Dealers, brokers, and bespoke specialists continue to cater to every taste and preference.

My pick for car of the show? A 1965 Mini Cooper S in pristine, original condition with just 36,000 km on the clock. If only it could share its stories.

Words by Mark Whitchurch; edited by Anthony Harvison. Pictures by Lena Gutsol (Belters News/NewsX/The European)